I have hypoglycemia, and have been affected by it probably since I was a kid if the truth were known.
I have learned a number of things about it, but understand, they are things that effect me personally, I have no idea about other peoples afflictions.
The number one lesson I learned, was that I could not drink alcohol, at least not the way I did. Every beer was an almost instant sugar high, followed almost as fast by the predictable valley. Pretty soon the valleys were far worse than the temporary peaks.
I have found that stress plays probably the most important role in determining my ability to function normally. Intake of the proper nutrients, and in the proper amounts do a wonderful job in controlling the problem. However, regardless whether I have eaten properly or not, stress can, and will throw a hammer into the mix almost without fail.
Heres an example, and one you might be able to recognize in yourself. Anitra and I flew to Seattle a couple of years ago, and were on a very tight schedule from the time we left for the airport, until arriving at our final destination in Suquamish. The two days proceeding the flight, I ate randomly, and not really the proper foods...but was fine. After fighting bad weather getting to the airport, the flight itself, getting luggage (yep, mines always last), getting a cab, racing into the city to catch the ferry on time...hypoglycemia had set in on me big time. This was in spite of reasonable food intake, and no alcohol...stress, plain and simple.
Symptoms for me are being a little lightheaded, shakyness, being first hot, then flushed, then sweating. The best cure for me is to sit down, eat a single cookie, or something sweet, and have a piece of fresh fruit. A handful of peanuts will generally help also, but personally it takes an apple to get me back on track. Ten minutes, after the episode begins, I feel great, and ready to go again...
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